Street TV...

thank you!

from the blog:

"bookshelfporn.com has dissuaded me completely from buying a kindle. thank you."

check out the site:

bookshelfporn.com

Man with a fanny in Cincinnati

Baseball

"Pursuit of Happiness" cover

Ants.

Perfectly Pertains.

Found these images on http://messymaisies.blogspot.com/. I can't help but relate to such sayings and I feel like a lot of my peers are feeling similar.

Once again, Haneke tickles my fancy

The film "Funny Games" serves as the most obvious evidence as to why Haneke is oftentimes characterized as sick and twisted. While many may find "Funny Games" difficult to stomach, there seems to be an equally large crowd that just can't get enough of this unwarranted kill fest. I am definitely part of the latter. As someone who was probably introduced to Michael Myers a little prematurely (Halloween night 3rd grade), I have since--like a crackhead-- consumed horror movies with an insatiable desire to experience that pinnacle of fear; however, most films were unsuccessful. All "horror" films seemed to consist of the same formula, always leaving room for a similarly formulated sequel. I grew tired of these films but didn't give up on my need and want for a film that actually made me quiver.

In middle school, my spirits were lifted with the release of "The Blair Witch Project." While I can't say that I reached the same kind of high that I felt when I first saw Jamie Lee Curtis scampering around her autumn tinted town, Blair Witch evoked a different kind of fear, a more realistic fear. While I was petrified of Michael Myers, the fear was more along the lines of vampires or werewolves; I was scared, but in the back of my mind, I knew those creatures weren't real. "The Blair Witch Project" on the other hand, presented not only a different aesthetic but also a situation that could seemingly happen to me. I became obsessed; part of this obsession probably stemmed from the fact that I initially thought the film was truly a documentary. I admired these students' strong dedication to their art, a dedication that gave them the courage to venture into a patch of Maryland forest famously touted to be haunted. While I was slightly disappointed when the fact was revealed that Heather, Josh, and Mike were actors, this added a new layer to the film. Because I had been so convinced that this fictional story was a reality--something no other horror film had offered me--my obsession surged. I think my love for "The Blair Witch Project" most profoundly manifests itself in a video project made with 2 of my middle school classmates. Our version basically offers the same storyline; however, it glaringly possessed a much lower grade of acting, weak camera work, a lack of editing, and exactly zero believability. The video that held what I, at the time, considered a masterpiece has since been lost and I cannot indulge you nor myself in shudders of pubescent embarrassment. Despite the fact that my love for "The Blair Witch" project began before I started shaving my legs, I still have extreme respect for the film. I think it is brilliant in capturing the sense of reality that had previously been absent from the genre of horror films and has therefore spawned many copycats. (Tell me, on what conventions does "Paranormal Activity" rely?)

Since "The Blair Witch Project" there have been few other films that fascinated me on the same level. For a while I was intrigued by "Saw" but with the excessive amount of sequels, the idea lost its novelty and I lost interest. I also started intense love affairs with Hitchcock and M. Night Shyamalan. These were fierce but short lived amorous accounts; Shyamalan kept me intrigued until he put out "Lady in the Water." I gave him the benefit of the doubt and saw "The Happening" but ended up kicking myself, knowing that no other film would be tantamount to "Unbreakable." Hitchcock is amazing but I was less interested in his lesser known films; "Rear Window" kept me on the edge of my seat, but "Strangers on a Train" bored me.

Two years ago, when I attended Sundance for the first time, I was introduced to the work Michael Haneke. It was a midnight showing of the American remake of his own "Funny Games" and I literally had no expectations. All I knew was that it was supposed to be scary. Once the opening credits finished, I was in love. (If you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about: the heavy contrast between the classical music and the hard metal death music that shockingly begins.) Since then, Haneke has been a director always on my radar. While I was not in love with "The White Ribbon," "Cache" captured my attention. Last night, I watched "The Piano Teacher" and I was not disappointed. It possesses the same sharp contrasts that exist in his other films (this time between the elegant and formal world of classical music and the seedy world of S&M). While I am hesitant to label "The Piano Teacher" a horror film, it is definitely a thriller and is right up there at the top of my list.

Cute Food Store in Indy!

My Garden TODAY

Green Beans!!

Lemon balm sprouting.

The cucumbers are getting out of control! Will these blossoms turn into cucumbers? I don't know. Only time will tell.

Edgerton AGAIN

Nash Edgerton showing off his stuntman skills in this short (written and directed by Edgerton).

The Edgerton Bros...better than the Coens?

I just saw the film "The Square" which was directed by Aussie director and stuntman Nash Edgerton. The thriller was co-written by brother Joel Edgerton. In the preview for the film (it can be found on youtube), citysearch is quoted as saying, "The Brothers Coen just got some stiff competition Aussie style." I have to agree with citysearch's comment; this film is so jam packed with thrills and chills that it's almost tiring to watch. I highly recommend it.

First though, before you run off to your nearest independent theater, check out a Nash Edgerton masterpiece available to you via youtube.

I saw this short during my first trip to Sundance and was absolutely stunned. I sat amongst a theater full of viewers as unsuspecting as me; it was not the first film in the shorts program but it is the one that I remember the most vividly. Once you watch it, you will know what I mean.

The Neon Movies, the theater where I saw "The Square," played "Spider" prior to the feature film. The moviegoers jumped at the appropriate moments, letting out gasps of shock, while my mom and I looked on simultaneously knowingly and amused, as I had showed my mom the short as a way to entice her to commit to seeing Edgerton's full length film.

We started calling what seems to be Edgerton's favorite convention "the spider effect." Once you watch the short, you will know what I mean. Edgerton generously, but not self indulgently, uses "the spider effect" in "The Square" and it's one of the main reasons why I love his work. Enjoy!

FIREWORKS, SPARKLERS, SHUTTER SPEED.

hos icing hos. pain ensues.

july 4th. gull lake, michigan.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

so apparently when i changed my blog to coincide with my gmail account, there was some kind of malfunction and all of my pictures/images have been deleted.

working to get them back up.

Surprise!

As a way to honor and thank him for numerous sessions in computer operations 101, Leonardo will star as a guest blogger right here on Friends and Fabrics.

He claimed that he would post on anything and he even suggested that I give him a topic on which to write.

I know I can think of plenty of absurd ideas (i won't share them here), but was wondering if there was any topic desired by one of you out there. I know there aren't many of you (i can count on one hand the people who seem to consistently look at my blog) but you, faithful readers, have you got any ideas?

throw me your raunchiest thoughts.

Couch Surfing: Where I Stayed

first stop: Indianapolis. 2 Nights with the Mails.

this was my lovely sleeping arrangement for 2 nights. then 1 night on my way back to DYT.

i left the mails and headed down the street to stay with my friend natalie.
spent one night here. went to a cute greek restaurant for dinner. wish i could have spent more time with nat (and charlie) but i guess that will have to wait until round two.
first up nat's adorable porch.
then her lovely apartment. slept on the floor. woo! it was perfect.

After Indy, headed to Chicago. First stop: Becky's.
Slept in her older sister's old room.

second Chi stop: Lexi's. Didn't get a pic of the room i slept in.
did get a literal couch surfing image though.

Third stop: stayed with my uncle in the city. failed to bring my camera to the city. too much hassle on the train and whatnot. wanted to pack light. therefore i have no pictures of his place or of any of the adventures we had.

fourth stop: carol's. don't have any pictures of where i slept, but these images might give you an idea as to what staying with carol is like:

and that is the very short version of adventures round 1.
more to come.